Santokhben to be arrested, say police

Gujarat gangster Santokben Jadeja will be arrested for allegedly sheltering two persons accused in rape and murder of two girls near a shrine of this district and she will be arrested, police said.

"Santokben has been booked for allegedly sheltering the two accused men and a woman who were suspected to be behind the murder and rape of Koli (fishermen) community girls and will be arrested, Junagadh range Inspector General of police Mohan Jha told PTI.

"She has been brought from Porbandar to Junagadh and will be arrested," he said.

Junagadh police had recorded the statement of Santokben, the "Godmother", yesterday but let her go, Jha added.

Police said the two prime accused and the woman had taken shelter at Santokben's residence at Rajkot after fleeing from the crime scene.

Police recently managed to get hold of the woman accomplice and her interrogation showed that the trio had sought shelter at Santoben's residence. The two main accused are still at large.

"Only Santokben knows their whereabouts. She was asked yesterday also but refused to reveal. Now, we will take her on remand and question her again," Jha said.

An offence has been registered against Santokben under sections 212 (harbouring offender), 506b (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 114 (Abettor present when offence is committed) of the IPC, he said.

Jha said investigation revealed that one of the accused was well known to Kandhal (one of Santokben's sons) when they were togather in Porbandar jail earlier and taken shelter with her on that basis.